Program Associate, Catalyze Fund

Pillars Fund seeks an exceptional Program Associate to provide critical management support for our expanding Catalyze Fund. This person is responsible for executing the administrative tasks of our grant program and coordinating aspects of our Catalyze Fund programming. This is an opportunity to gain unique insights into the nonprofit and philanthropic sector and to work alongside a supportive and high-energy team. The Program Associate works closely with other members of our highly collaborative team and reports to the Catalyze Fund Program Director.

Primary Responsibilities

Grants Management

• Administer the Call for Ideas process for new Catalyze Fund applicants
• Track, maintain, and analyze information about each new application and award and ensure that they are progressing in a timely manner
• Provide technical assistance to applicants, grantee partners, and fellows throughout the grant partnership
• Draft and/or edit correspondence with applicants, grantee partners, and fellows
• Support the process of awarding funding once grants have been approved, including preparing, sending, and tracking agreements
• Analyze and create periodic reports and presentations that summarize common themes across award portfolios to advance team learning, strategy refinement, and effective grantee/awardee support

Catalyze Fund Programs

• Deliver capacity building support for grantee partners, in coordination with Program Director 
• Execute and arrange logistics for Catalyze Fund programs, including funder briefings, speaking engagements, community convenings, and other events
• Coordinate and participate in grantee check-ins and site visits
• Advise and support the communications team on grantee-related content development
• Research and stay on top of strategies, evolving issue areas, and philanthropic practices related to our grantee-partners, our three focus areas, and grantmaking. 

Catalyze Fund Administration

• Maintain contact information and provide scheduling support for the Catalyze Fund team
• Draft and maintain weekly agendas, preparation documents, and supplemental materials for Catalyze Fund team
• Prepare materials for distribution and coordinate correspondence with key stakeholders, including grantee partners, Board of Directors, Trustees, institutional funders, and individual donors
• Serve as back-up to Program Managers and other staff, as needed, and attend relevant meetings/conferences to gather information and knowledge to advance the work of the programs teams

Attributes of the Program Associate

• Embodiment of Pillars’ values and commitment to amplifying the leadership and voices of Muslims in the United States
• Familiarity with and enthusiasm about Muslim communities in the United States and the issues that impact us across multiple identities 
• Ability and willingness to effectively apply a social justice framework at every stage of planning and execution
• Exceptional attentiveness to detail and organization and ability to solve problems
• Excellent communication skills, including the ability to effectively summarize and explain situations
• Exceptional writing and editing skills and ability to clearly synthesize concepts for multiple audiences
• Strong proficiency with data collection, review, analysis, and reporting
• Strong proficiency with the use of software platforms and high degree of comfort with multiple technology applications, including Google Suite and basic databases, and ability to swiftly learn other systems, including Submittable and Salesforce
• Excellent time management and project management skills, including an ability to take direction from multiple people while managing competing priorities, to work independently, and to set and meet deadlines

Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to demonstrate discretion, empathy, cultural competency, and joy to effectively relate to and work with diverse partners and stakeholders